"My goodness, but you are an elegant thing aren't you?" Biffy says, marveling at the creature in front of him who seems equal parts fox and wolf, with beautifully groomed fur and poise to match. It's as if he's just encountered himself as the creature he'd much rather be.

"Pleased to meet you at last. Call me Agnieszka," she says, bowing her dainty head. "I believe you would call me a dhole."

"No," Biffy says, stroking the perked ears. She's much too lovely for such a common sounding name. "Agnieszka will do perfectly."